Inside the grand hall.
Song Yuanzhong and Ming Yufang were clearly oblivious to what was happening.
Yet, upon seeing Xie Ruotong and the Xie Family present, they began to harbor some thoughts of their own.
After teasing Song Yanqing for a while, Xiao Jinxing returned to the main subject, "Today, I've called Lord Song and Madam to the Imperial Palace primarily because Duke Xie came to see me early this morning, reporting that your son Song Yanqing had sullied their daughter's—my General Xie Ruotong's—honor yesterday."
"What?" Ming Yufang looked at the Emperor in disbelief, visibly agitated.
Song Yuanzhong hurriedly called out to Ming Yufang, then knelt on the ground with utmost respect, "My wife offended the Emperor; please grant your forgiveness, Emperor."
According to protocol.
No one else is entitled to speak unless the Emperor permits it.
